Leonardo Bernardes de Castro Filho fought his way into the Top 10 at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in the Junior Men's Cross-Country race, securing an outstanding 9th place
Val di Sole (Italy), 2026 – Leonardo made Brazilian cycling history at the UCI Mountain Bike Junior World Championships. With an outstanding 9th-place finish in Val di Sole, he not only achieved a world-class result at the highest international level, but also secured the best result ever achieved by a Brazilian mountain biker in the history of the Junior World Championships.
On the legendary and demanding course in Trentino, Leonardo delivered a race defined by courage, technical skill, and determination. From the very start, he held his own among the world’s best young riders, proving that he belongs among the international elite.
Particularly remarkable was the fact that he missed the podium by less than one minute. In a race contested at the highest level, such a small gap highlights just how close Leonardo is to the very best riders in the world.
This result is the reward for years of hard work, countless hours of training, and the unwavering dedication of everyone supporting his journey.
For Leonardo, this Top 10 finish marks an important milestone in his still young career. Becoming the first Brazilian junior rider ever to finish in the Top 10 at a UCI Mountain Bike World Championship makes this achievement a historic moment for Brazilian mountain biking.
We warmly congratulate Leonardo on this outstanding result.
9th in the world, the first Brazilian junior rider in the Top 10 in World Championship history, and less than one minute away from the podium: Bravo, Leonardo!
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